Mentoring Training Manual Supports New Approach For Staff Development
In order to allow employees to enhance their job knowledge, skills, and abilities, a mentorship program has recently been introduced in the District 13 Department of Children and Families (DCF). Approximately 10 individuals will be chosen each year for the program and assigned to mentors who either signed up to participate, or were requested and agreed to serve in that capacity.
At the request of District 13 DCF, CFS staff members Mary Ann Kershaw and Bill Leader helped to develop the training manual outlining the year-long mentoring program.
“The District’s Mentoring Program will improve and enhance personal skills for both mentors and their proteges,” said MaryAnn Kershaw, project director of the training manual. “It will provide a variety of opportunities for both to gain organizational knowledge and understanding necessary for successful performance and career enhancement. By providing these opportunities, staff turnover should decrease, while job skills that can serve future staffing needs will increase.”
The topics addressed in the training manual are:Team Building; Change Management; Communication Skills; Business Writing; Presentation/Public Speaking; Group Projects; Time Management Skills; Stress Management; Customer Relations; and Resume Development & Interviewing Skills.
“The manual was developed as a tool for the mentors, providing guidelines and materials for conducting training sessions,” added Kershaw. “It includes sample outlines, handouts, and overheads, and consists of enough information to conduct four-hour workshops on each topic. It also encourages mentors to use both personal and professional experiences whenever possible, and offers hints for mentors who are in need of improving their own presentation skills.”
The training’s first topic is Team Building. It offers participants the opportunity to learn active listening skills, view teamwork as a shared responsibility and gain insight into problem solving. Characteristics of high performing teams will be discussed, as well as factors that create barriers to the success of teams. The proteges will use the skills gained to complete a team project with their Community Alliance. (This year, the group is looking at the reduction of caseload size in the Family Safety division of the District).
“The District structured the ten topics in a specific order, and the second training regarding Change Management is a very timely one,” said Kershaw, referring to the privatization changes within the state of Florida. “It is especially important now for the Change Management training to help staff become aware of how different people respond to change, and learn how to turn resistance into something more positive. The training manual is consistent with our work at CFS, because if we can help the transition to privatization go more smoothly, it’s a great place for us to be.”
Throughout the training, the mentors will involve the protégés in a variety of activities and committees, but they will also work to ensure that mentoring activities do not conflict with current job responsibilities.
After completion of the training manual, MaryAnn Kershaw, along with independent contractor Russ Kitching, conducted a Train-the-Trainer session for the District 13 mentors, who will conduct the training for the group. Plans are for the workshops to begin in November of 2003.
“We would really like to see all districts giving this kind of attention to their staff development,” Kershaw added.
For additional information on the training manual and mentoring program, contact Mary Ann Kershaw at 813-974-6419.
The Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS) is a department of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida. The faculty and staff of CFS are committed to enhancing the development, mental health and well-being of children and families through leadership in integrating research, theory & practice.